Turbine-type flow rate controlling device

ABSTRACT

A power generating portion formed of a rotor and a stator is provided. The rotor is formed of a ring incorporating a permanent magnet and an impeller. The rotor is regarded as a turbine. An actual flow rate is estimated from a present angular velocity of the turbine and a present torque of the power generating portion, a torque of the power generating portion in which the estimated actual flow rate corresponds to a setting flow rate is calculated and the torque of the power generating portion is controlled based on the calculated torque and a magnetic pole position of the turbine. A measured value detected by a position sensor is used as the magnetic pole position of the turbine, however, when it is determined that reliability does not exist in the position sensor, an estimated value is used.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2015-073636filed Mar. 31, 2015. This application is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a turbine-type flow rate controllingdevice controlling the flow rate of fluid by using a turbine.

BACKGROUND

In related art, an air conditioning controlling system includes an airconditioner such as a fan coil unit (FCU), in which cold/hot water issupplied to a heat exchanger of the air conditioner. A flow rate controlvalve is provided in a supply passage of cold/hot water to the heatexchanger of the air conditioner, and an air conditioning controllingdevice (controller) is provided as a device for controlling an openingof the flow rate control valve.

The air conditioning controlling device controls the opening of the flowrate control valve so that a difference between a measured value of aroom temperature in a space to be controlled which receives supply ofconditioned air from the air conditioner and a setting value of the roomtemperature set with respect to the room temperature becomes zero. Thesupply of cool/hot water to the heat exchanger of the air conditioner iscontrolled accordingly, and the temperature of conditioned air from theair conditioner to the space to be controlled is adjusted (for example,refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-2008-45855)

However, in the above air conditioning controlling system, the flow ratecontrol valve provided in the supply passage of cold/hot water realizesthe flow rate control by changing the opening area of a plug provided inthe flow passage as a valve element to thereby generate pressure loss.The energy corresponding to the pressure loss generated at that time hasbeen discarded wastefully as heat. There is also another problem thathigh power is necessary for driving the valve element.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-2012-241659 (JP'659), a power generation device using a residual pressure of a watersupply facility which generates power while reducing pressure of tapwater in a water distribution pipeline is disclosed. In the powergeneration device using the residual pressure of the water supplyfacility, a hydraulic turbine provided in the water distributionpipeline through which tap water flows and a power generator generatingthe power by the rotation of the hydraulic turbine are provided, inwhich the pressure on a downstream side of the hydraulic turbine isreduced by a rotation resistance of the hydraulic turbine caused by apower generation load of the power generator.

In JP '659, a technique in which a torque of the power generator iscontrolled so that the flow rate of the hydraulic turbine reaches atarget flow rate is disclosed as Example 2. Hereinafter, the techniquewill be called the technique of JP '659.

Specifically, an angular velocity of the hydraulic turbine is detected,an estimated flow rate of the hydraulic turbine is calculated from theangular velocity of the hydraulic turbine and a torque command value, apressure reducing amount is estimated from the estimated flow rate, atorque command value for realizing a target flow rate is calculated fromthe estimated pressure reducing amount, a difference between theestimated flow rate and the target flow rate is calculated, feedbackitems of the flow rate are added to the torque command value, adifference between a target angular velocity and the angular velocity iscalculated, feedback items of the angular velocity are added to thetorque command value, and the torque command value to which feedbackitems of the flow rate and the angular velocity are added is outputtedto an inverter (refer to paragraphs [0043] to [0049], descriptionconcerning FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 in JP '659)

In the technique of JP '659, the target flow rate is a target valuecorresponding to the target pressure reducing amount (pressuredifference of the hydraulic turbine between the upstream side and thedownstream side), which is a given value to be determined so as tocorrespond to the water supply facility in the same manner as the targetpressure reducing amount.

That is, in the technique of JP '659, it is assumed that the value ofthe target flow rate is a fixed and does not vary, and the torque of thepower generator is controlled so that the estimated flow ratecorresponds to the target flow rate determined as an invariable value.That is, in JP '659, there is no intention to control the actual flowrate by changing the value of the target flow rate, and an objectthereof is just to take out electrical energy by using the residualpressure of the water supply facility.

There is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.JP-A-5-106753 (JP '753) a valve with a built-in power generating deviceincluding a power generating device having a rotor arranged in a valvebox and rotated by fluid energy at the time of opening a valve elementand a power generator generating power by the rotation of the rotor, apower storage device storing power generated by the power generatingdevice, an electric motor activated by an output voltage of the powerstorage device, and a power transmission mechanism transmitting therotation output of the electric motor to a valve rod, in which anopening/closing device selecting a forward/reverse rotation and a stopof the electric motor to be executed is provided in an electric pathwhich electrically connects the power storage device and the electricmotor.

In the valve with the built-in power generating device disclosed in JP'753, the “power generating device” having the rotor and the powergenerator and the “valve device” controlling circulation and blocking ofthe fluid are provided in the valve so as to be separated from eachother, therefore, a number of component parts are necessary and the sizeis increased in a flow direction of the fluid. Also in JP '753, there isno intention to control the actual flow rate by changing the value ofthe target flow rate, and an object thereof is just to open and closethe valve element automatically by using the fluid energy generated atthe time of opening the valve element to thereby reduce the energy loss.Though the valve element is configured to be opened and closedautomatically by using the generated power, high power is necessary asthe valve element is used.

The invention has been made for solving the above problems and an objectthereof is to provide a turbine-type flow rate controlling devicecapable of saving power by controlling the actual flow rate withoutusing a valve element.

Another object thereof is to provide a turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device capable of achieving reuse of energy and contributingto energy saving by collecting part of energy as electrical energy whichhas been discarded as heat at the time of controlling the actual flowrate.

Further another object is to provide a turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device capable of properly controlling a torque of a powergenerating portion continuously even when a position sensor fordetecting a magnetic pole position of a turbine (a position of amagnetic pole of a magnet incorporated in the turbine) fails ordetection accuracy is deteriorated.

SUMMARY

According to an example of the invention, there is provided aturbine-type flow rate controlling device including a turbine convertingenergy of a fluid flowing in a flow path into rotational movementenergy, a power generating portion converting the rotational movementenergy converted by the turbine into electrical energy, a setting flowrate inputting portion inputting a setting flow rate values of whichvary due to load fluctuation of a supply destination of the fluid, aflow rate controlling portion estimating an actual flow rate of thefluid flowing in the flow path from a present angular velocity of theturbine and a present torque of the power generating portion andcalculating a torque of the power generating portion in which theestimated actual flow rate corresponds to the setting flow rate, aposition sensor detecting a position of a magnetic pole of a magnetincorporated in the turbine as a magnetic pole position of the turbine,a magnetic pole position estimating portion estimating the position ofthe magnetic pole of the magnet incorporated in the turbine as themagnetic pole position of the turbine, a magnetic pole positionselecting portion selecting any one of the magnetic pole position of theturbine detected by the position sensor and the magnetic pole positionof the turbine estimated by the magnetic pole position estimatingportion and a power generating portion controlling portion controllingthe torque of the power generating portion based on the torquecalculated by the flow rate controlling portion and the magnetic poleposition of the turbine selected by the magnetic pole position selectingportion.

According to the invention, when the setting flow rate varies due toload fluctuation of the supply destination of the fluid, the actual flowrate flowing in the flow path is estimated from the present angularvelocity of the turbine and the present torque of the power generatingportion, and the torque of the power generating portion is controlled sothat the estimated actual flow rate corresponds to the setting flowrate. Accordingly, the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow pathis controlled by the torque of the power generating portion, namely, arotational torque of the turbine, not by the valve element.

Also in the invention, the torque calculated by the flow ratecontrolling portion and the magnetic pole position of the turbine areused at the time of controlling the torque of the power generatingportion. In this case, the magnetic pole position of the turbineselected by the magnetic pole position selecting portion, that is, anyone of the magnetic pole position of the turbine detected by theposition sensor and the magnetic pole position of the turbine estimatedby the magnetic pole position estimating portion is used.

For example, the magnetic pole position selecting portion may determineexistence of reliability in the magnetic pole position of the turbinedetected by the position sensor, selecting the magnetic pole position ofthe turbine detected by the position sensor when the reliability exists,and selecting the magnetic pole position of the turbine estimated by themagnetic pole position estimating portion when the reliability does notexist.

According to the above, when the reliability in the magnetic poleposition of the turbine detected by the position sensor is lost, themagnetic pole position of the turbine estimated by the magnetic poleposition estimating portion is used instead of the magnetic poleposition of the turbine detected by the position sensor, and the torqueof the power generating portion can be properly controlled continuouslyeven when the position sensor detecting the magnetic pole position ofthe turbine fails or detection accuracy is deteriorated.

It is also preferable to select the magnetic pole position of theturbine estimated by the magnetic pole position estimating portion to beused in the power generating portion controlling portion instead of themagnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the position sensor inthe case where the operation time of the power generating portionexceeds a given period of time, where the accumulated number ofrotations exceeds a given number of rotations and other occasions.

According to the invention, the turbine converting energy of the fluidflowing in the flow path into rotational movement energy and the powergenerating portion converting the rotational movement energy convertedby the turbine into electrical energy are provided, a setting flow ratevalues of which vary due to load fluctuation of the supply destinationof the fluid is inputted, the actual flow rate of the fluid flowing inthe flow path is estimated from the present angular velocity of theturbine and the present torque of the power generating portion, and thetorque of the power generating portion is controlled so that theestimated actual flow rate corresponds to the setting flow rate,therefore, the actual flow rate is controlled without using the valveelements, which can realize power saving.

Additionally, part of energy discarded as heat at the time ofcontrolling the actual flow rate is collected as electrical energy,thereby realizing reuse of energy and contributing to energy saving.

It is further possible to realize both functions of flow rate controland power generation by the “power generating device” formed of theturbine and the power generating portion, which can reduce the number ofcomponent parts and realize size reduction.

Also according to the invention, the position sensor detecting themagnetic pole position of the turbine, the magnetic pole positionestimating portion estimating the magnetic pole position of the turbineand the magnetic pole position selecting portion selecting any one ofthe magnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the positionsensor and the magnetic pole position of the turbine estimated by themagnetic pole position estimating portion are provided, therebycontrolling the torque of the power generating portion based on thetorque calculated by the flow rate controlling portion and the magneticpole position of the turbine selected by the magnetic pole positionselecting portion, therefore, for example, when existence of reliabilityin the magnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the positionsensor is determined and it is determined that the reliability exists,the magnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the positionsensor is selected, and when it is determined that the reliability doesnot exist, the magnetic pole position of the turbine estimated by themagnetic pole position estimating portion is selected, thereby properlycontrolling the torque of the power generating portion continuously evenwhen the position sensor detecting the magnetic pole position of theturbine fails or detection accuracy is deteriorated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an instrumentation diagram showing an example of an airconditioning controlling system using a turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a relevant part of the turbine-typeflow rate controlling device used for the air conditioning controllingsystem according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view shown by extracting a relevant part of apower generating portion in the turbine-type flow rate controllingdevice.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rotor provided in a conduit lineof the turbine-type flow rate controlling device.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of unique processing operations performed bycooperation of a flow rate controlling portion, a power generatingportion controlling portion, an inverter, a magnetic pole positionestimating portion and a magnetic pole position selecting portion in theturbine-type flow rate controlling device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart continued from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a time chart for an explaining specific example of processingfor determining existence of reliability (normal/abnormal of a positionsensor) in a magnetic pole position of a turbine detected by theposition sensor.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for an explaining specific example of processingfor determining existence of reliability (normal/abnormal of theposition sensor) in a magnetic pole position of a turbine detected bythe position sensor.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a relevant part of a turbine-typeflow rate controlling device according to another Example.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a relevant part of a turbine-typeflow rate controlling device according to a further Example.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a relevant part of a turbine-typeflow rate controlling device according to a yet further Example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, examples of the invention will be explained in detail withreference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an instrumentation diagram showingan example of an air conditioning controlling system using aturbine-type flow rate controlling device according to the invention.

In FIG. 1, “1” denotes a space to be controlled, “2” denotes an airconditioner (FCU) supplying conditioned air to the space to becontrolled 1, “3” denotes a turbine-type flow rate controlling deviceaccording to the invention, “4” denotes an air conditioning controllingdevice (controller) and “5” denotes an external power supply providedwith respect to the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3.

The air conditioner 2 includes a heat exchanger (cold/hot water coil)2-1 and a fan 2-2. The turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3 isprovided in a supply passage (flow path) of cold/hot water to the heatexchanger 2-1 of the air conditioner 2. In the example, the turbine-typeflow rate controlling device 3 is provided in a water delivery conduitLS of cold/hot water to the heat exchanger 2-1 of the air conditioner 2.

As the heat exchanger 2-1 of the air conditioner 2, there exist asingle-coil type exchanger which performs heat exchange by one coilmaking cold water at the time of cooling and making hot water at thetime of heating and a double-coil type exchanger by two coils performingheat exchange by a cold water coil at the time of cooling and performingheat exchange by a hot water coil at the time of heating. In theexample, the heat exchanger 2-1 is assumed to be the single-coil type.

A room temperature sensor 8 measuring the temperature in the space to becontrolled 1 as a room temperature is provided in the space to becontrolled 1. The room temperature measured by the room temperaturesensor 8 (a measured value tpv of the room temperature) is transmittedto the controller 4.

The controller 4 calculates a setting flow rate Qsp of cold/hot water tothe heat exchanger 2-1 of the air conditioner 2 as an output forcontrolling a difference between the measured value tpv of the roomtemperature and a setting value tsp of the room temperature to be zero,transmitting the calculated setting flow rate Qsp to the turbine-typeflow rate controlling device 3.

Turbine-Type Flow Rate Controlling Device Example

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of a relevant part of theturbine-type flow rate controlling device 3 according to an example. Theturbine-type flow rate controlling device (3A) according to the Examplewhich includes a data communication portion 301, a system controllingportion 302, a flow rate controlling portion 303, a power generatingportion controlling portion 304, an inverter 305, a power generatingportion 306, a position sensor 307, a turbine 308, a power supplyportion 309, a commercial power supply regenerating portion 310, a powerstorage portion 311, a temperature sensor 317, a magnetic pole positionestimating portion 318 and a magnetic pole position selecting portion319, in which the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3 isconnected to the controller 4 and to the external power supply 5 bycables.

The data communication portion 301 has a function of performingtransmission/reception of data with respect to the controller 4,receiving data such as a setting value from the controller 4 andtransmitting data such as an internal state of the turbine-type flowrate controlling device 3 to the controller 4.

The system controlling portion 302 has a function of controlling theentire system of the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3,inputting received data such as a setting value from the datacommunication portion 301 and outputting transmission data such as aninternal state of the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3 to thedata communication portion 301. The system controlling portion 302 alsotakes out the setting flow rate Qsp from received data such as thesetting value transmitted from the data communication portion 301 as aflow rate setting value, and the taken-out flow rate setting value Qspis output to the flow rate controlling portion 303.

The flow controlling portion 303 has a function of estimating adimensionless flow rate and a dimensionless differential pressure froman angular velocity value (a present angular velocity of the turbine308) ω from the power generating portion controlling portion 304 and atorque value (a present torque of the power generating portion 306) T, afunction of estimating an actual flow rate Q and an actual differentialpressure ΔP from the estimated dimensionless flow rate and thedimensionless differential pressure and a function of calculating atorque of the power generating portion 306 in which the estimated actualflow rate Q corresponds to the flow rate setting value Qsp as a torquesetting value Tsp according to a flow rate control law, inputting theflow rate setting value Qsp from the system controlling portion 302, theangular velocity value ω and the torque value T from the powergenerating portion controlling portion 304, and outputting thecalculated torque setting value Tsp to the power generating portioncontrolling portion 304.

The power generating portion controlling portion 304 has a function ofcalculating a phase voltage setting value to the inverter 305 so thatthe torque of the power generating portion 306 corresponds to the torquesetting value Tsp according to a vector control law, a function ofcalculating the present angular velocity of the turbine 308 as theangular velocity value ω from a magnetic pole position (to be describedlater) of the turbine 308 selected by the magnetic pole positionselecting portion 319 and a function of calculating the present torqueof the power generating portion 306 as the torque value T from a presentphase voltage value and a present phase current value of a statorwinding of the power generating portion 306 from the inverter 305,inputting the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 selected by themagnetic pole position selecting portion 319, the phase voltage valueand the phase current value from the inverter 305 and the torque settingvalue Tsp from the flow rate controlling portion 303, outputting thecalculated angular velocity value ω and the torque value T to the flowrate controlling portion 303 and outputting the calculated phase voltagesetting value to the inverter 305.

The inverter 305 has a function of inputting the phase voltage settingvalue from the power generating portion controlling portion 304 andoutputting the phase voltage setting value to the stator winding of thepower generating portion 306 as the phase voltage, a function ofoutputting the present phase voltage value and the present phase currentvalue of the stator winding of the power generating portion 306 to thepower generating portion controlling portion 304 and the magnetic poleposition estimating portion 318 and a function of regenerating powergenerated in the power generating portion 306 with respect to the powerstorage portion 311, and operates by receiving primary power supply fromthe power supply portion 309.

The power generating portion 306 includes a rotor 6 and a stator 7 asshown by extracting a relevant part in FIG. 3. The rotor 6 includes aring 6-1 incorporating a permanent magnet and an impeller 6-2 integrallyprovided inside the ring 6-1. The rotor 6 is provided in a conduit lineso that a shaft center thereof corresponds to a shaft center of theconduit line (see FIG. 4), and the entire rotor 6 rotates by receiving awater flow of cold/hot water flowing in the conduit line. That is, thering 6-1 rotates together with the impeller 6-2. In FIG. 3, the rotor 6is shown as the turbine 308 in a manner separated from the powergenerating portion 306 for convenience.

Coils are wound around the stator 7, and power generated by rotation ofthe turbine 308 is taken out by using the coils as stator winding. Theposition sensor 307 is attached to the stator 7, which detects aposition of a magnetic pole of a permanent magnet incorporated in thering 6-1 as a magnetic pole position of the turbine 308. As the positionsensor 307, an incremental encoder is used.

The temperature sensor 317 detects a temperature of the coils (statorwinding) wound around the stator 7 and transmits the detectedtemperature of the stator winding as a winding temperature TR to themagnetic pole position estimating portion 318. The magnetic poleposition estimating portion 318 estimates a position of a magnetic poleof the permanent magnet incorporated in the ring 6-1 as the magneticpole position of the turbine 308 based on the present phase voltagevalue and the present phase current value of the stator winding of thepower generating portion 306 from the inverter 305, and the presentwinding temperature TR of the stator winding of the power generatingportion 306 from the temperature sensor 317.

The magnetic pole position selecting portion 319 selects any of themagnetic pole position of the turbine 308 detected by the positionsensor 307 and the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 estimatedby the magnetic pole position estimating portion 318, determining theposition as the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 to betransmitted to the power generating portion controlling portion 304. Inthe example, the magnetic pole position selecting portion 319 determinesexistence of reliability in the magnetic pole position of the turbine308 detected by the position sensor 307. When it is determined thatreliability exists, the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308detected by the position sensor 307 is selected. When it is determinedthat reliability does not exist, the magnetic pole position of theturbine 308 estimated by the magnetic pole position estimating portion318 is selected.

The power supply portion 309 receives power from the external powersupply 5 and stored power stored in the power storage portion 311 asinputs, distributing the power to be used in the turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3A. In the example, the power to the inverter 305 isfor a primary power supply and the power to the data communicationportion 301, the system controlling portion 302, the flow ratecontrolling portion 303, the power generating portion controllingportion 304 and so on is for respective controlling portion powersupplies.

The power supply portion 309 distributes power obtained by adding thepower from the external power supply 5 and the stored power stored inthe power storage portion 311, and the stored power stored in the powerstorage portion 311 is preferentially distributed. When the stored powerstored in the power storage portion 311 is short, the power obtained byadding power supplied from the external power supply 5 is distributed.When the stored power stored in the power storage portion 311 isabundant, the abundant power is regenerated as surplus power in acommercial power supply (the external power supply 5 in the example)through the commercial power supply regenerating portion 310.

In the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A, functions of thedata communication portion 301, the system controlling portion 302, theflow rate controlling portion 303, the power generating portioncontrolling portion 304, the inverter 305, the magnetic pole positionestimating portion 318, the magnetic pole position selecting portion319, the power supply portion 309, the commercial power supplyregenerating portion 310 and so on are realized by hardware including aprocessor, a memory device, a digital input/output circuit, an analoginput/output circuit, a power electronics circuit and so on, and aprogram executing various functions in cooperation with the hardware.Also in the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A, the datacommunication portion 301 and the system controlling portion 302configure a setting flow rate inputting portion 300.

Next, distinctive operations in the turbine-type flow rate controllingdevice 3A will be explained. When the setting flow rate Qsp of cold/hotwater from the controller 4 varies, that is, when the setting flow rateQsp of cold/hot water varies due to load fluctuation of a supplydestination of cold/hot water, the turbine-type flow rate controllingdevice 3A receives the varied setting flow rate Qsp by the datacommunication portion 301, and the data communication portion 301transmits the received setting flow rate Qsp to the system controllingportion 302.

The system controlling portion 302 takes out the setting flow rate Qspas the flow rate setting value Qsp and transmits the value to the flowrate controlling portion 303. The flow rate controlling portion 303estimates a dimensionless flow rate and a dimensionless differentialpressure from the angular velocity value (a present angular velocity ofthe turbine 308) ω from the power generating portion controlling portion304 and the torque value (a present torque of the power generatingportion 306) T, and estimates the actual flow rate Q and the actualdifferential pressure ΔP from the estimated dimensionless flow rate andthe dimensionless differential pressure. Then, the torque setting valueTsp in which the estimated actual flow rate Q corresponds to the flowrate setting value Qsp is calculated to be transmitted to the powergenerating portion controlling portion 304.

The power generating portion controlling portion 304 calculates a phasevoltage setting value so that the torque of the power generating portion306 corresponds to the torque setting value Tsp by receiving the torquesetting value Tsp from the flow rate controlling portion 303,transmitting the value to the inverter 305. The inverter 305 receivesthe phase voltage setting value from the power generating portioncontrolling portion 304 and outputs the phase voltage setting value tothe stator winding of the power generating portion 306 as a phasevoltage as well as outputting the present phase voltage value and thepresent phase current value of the stator winding of the powergenerating portion 306 to the power generating portion controllingportion 304 and the magnetic pole position estimating portion 318.

The magnetic pole position estimating portion 318 estimates the magneticpole position of the turbine 308 based on the present phase voltagevalue and the present phase current value of the stator winding of thepower generating portion 306 as well as the present winding temperatureTR of the stator winding of the power generating portion 306, andoutputs the estimated magnetic pole position (an estimated value of themagnetic pole position) of the turbine 308 to the magnetic pole positionselecting portion 319. The estimated value of the magnetic pole positionof the turbine 308 from the magnetic pole position estimating portion318 and the magnetic pole position (a measured value of the magneticpole position) of the turbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307are inputted to the magnetic pole position selecting portion 319.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show flow charts of processing operations performed bycooperation of the flow rate controlling portion 303, the powergenerating portion controlling portion 304, the inverter 305, themagnetic pole position estimating portion 318 and the magnetic poleposition selecting portion 319, which are unique to the example. Theprocessing operations are performed by a processor (CPU (CentralProcessing Unit)) in the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A.

Flow Rate Control (Torque Control) by Selecting Measured Value ofMagnetic Pole Position

First, the CPU forcibly rotates the turbine 308 at an idling mechanicalangular velocity ωar (FIG. 5: Step S101). Then, when a Z-signaloutputted from the position sensor (incremental encoder) 307 isdetected, a count value of the position sensor 307 is reset to completean origin matching (Step S102).

Then, the CPU shifts the process to torque control for controlling theflow rate (Step S103), calculating the torque setting value Tspaccording to the flow rate control law which is taken charge of by theflow rate controlling portion 303, calculating the phase voltage settingvalue according to the vector control law which is taken charge of bythe power generating portion controlling portion 304 and outputting thecalculated phase voltage setting value to the power generating portion306 as the phase voltage, thereby matching the torque of the powergenerating portion 306 to the torque setting value Tsp and adjusting theactual flow rate Q of cold/hot water flowing in the conduit line to theflow rate setting value Qsp.

The CPU repeats the processing of Step S102, S103, that is, repeatstorque control for controlling the flow rate, and the measured value ofthe magnetic pole position is used as the magnetic pole position of theturbine 308 to be used at the time of performing torque control forcontrolling the flow rate. That is, the magnetic pole position (themeasured value of the magnetic pole position) of the turbine 308detected by the position sensor 307 is selected as the magnetic poleposition of the turbine 308 used in the power generating portioncontrolling portion 304, and the present angular velocity of the turbine308 is calculated from the selected measured value of the magnetic poleposition of the turbine 308, thereby setting the calculated angularvelocity as the angular velocity value ω to be used in the flow ratecontrolling portion 303.

The CPU monitors whether the position sensor 307 is normal or not duringtorque control for controlling the flow rate using the measured value ofthe magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 (Step S104). That is, theexistence of reliability in the magnetic pole position of the turbine308 detected by the position sensor 307 is determined.

Determination of Existence of Reliability in Magnetic Pole Position ofTurbine Detected by Position Sensor

The CPU sets a present value at the zero-crossing timing of the phasevoltage value which varies in a sine wave shape to Tzc, sets a previousvalue to Tbkzc, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), and calculates anelectric angular velocity of the turbine 308 ωpvu as ωpvu=π/(Tzc−Tbkzc)(FIG. 9: Step S201).

As shown in FIG. 8 (a), a count value of a pulse signal from theposition sensor 307 in the present value Tzc at the zero-crossing timingof the phase voltage value is set to C, a count value of the pulsesignal from the position sensor 307 in the previous value Tbkzc is setto Cbk, and a rotation angle θ of the turbine 308 advancing from theprevious count value Cbk to the present count value C is calculated asθ=2π·(C−Cbk)/CT (Step S202), and a mechanical angular velocity ω_(M) ofthe turbine 308 is calculated as ω_(M)=θ/ΔT (Step S203).

In the formula θ=2π·(C−Cbk)/CT, CT denotes a count value of the pulsesignal from the position sensor 307 which should be counted while theturbine 308 rotates once. In the formula ω_(M)=θ/ΔT, ΔT denotes a timeinterval calculated as ΔT=Tzc−Tbkzc.

Then, the CPU calculates an electric angular velocity we (ωe=ω_(M)*P) bymultiplying the calculated mechanical angular velocity ω_(M) of theturbine 308 by the number of pole pairs P (Step S204), confirmingwhether the electric angular velocity ωpvu calculated in Step S201corresponds to the electric angular velocity we calculated in Step S204or not (Step S205).

The CPU determines that the position sensor 307 is normal, that is, thatreliability exists in the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308detected by the position sensor 307 (Step S206) when ωpvu=ωe. Whenωpvu≠ωe, the CPU determines that the position sensor 307 is abnormal,that is, that reliability does not exist in the magnetic pole positionof the turbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307 (Step S207).

When the CPU determines that the reliability exists (FIG. 5: YES in StepS104), the process returns to Step S102, where the torque control forcontrolling the flow rate using the measured value of the magnetic poleposition is continued.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the reliability does notexist in the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 detected by theposition sensor 307 (NO in Step S104), the torque control forcontrolling the flow rate using the measured value of the magnetic poleposition is interrupted (Step S105). That is, the flow rate control(torque control) by selecting the measured value of the magnetic poleposition is interrupted.

Flow Rate Control (Torque Control) by Selecting Estimated Value ofMagnetic Pole Position

When the CPU interrupts the flow rate control (torque control) byselecting the measured value of the magnetic pole position, the CPUshifts the process to flow rate control (torque control) using anestimated value of the magnetic pole position.

In the flow rate control (torque control) by selecting the estimatedvalue of the magnetic pole position, first, the turbine 308 is forciblyrotated at the idling mechanical angular velocity ωar (Step S106). Then,after an idling time Ta passes (YES in Step S107), processing operationsof Steps S109 to S115 explained below are repeated every time a samplingtime Ts passes (FIG. 6: YES of Step S108).

The CPU inputs a present U-phase phase voltage value Vu and a presentphase current value Iu of the stator winding of the power generatingportion 306 (Step S109) and a present winding temperature TR of thestator winding of the power generating portion 306 (Step S110). Then, awinding resistance R of the stator winding of the power generatingportion 306 (winding resistance in a reference temperature) istemperature corrected by the winding temperature TR (Step S111), and themagnetic pole position of the turbine 308 is estimated by the followingformula (1) (Step S112).

$\begin{matrix}{{\theta \; e} = {\sin^{- 1}\left\{ {\frac{1}{{Ke}\; \omega \; {ar}}\left( {{Vu} - {L\frac{{Iu}}{t}} - {RIu}} \right)} \right\}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

That is, θe (rad) calculated by the formula (1) is determined as anelectric magnetic pole position estimated value of the turbine 308. Inthe formula (1), “L” denotes an inductance of the stator winding(winding inductance) of the power generating portion 306, and “Ke”denotes a counter electromotive force.

Then, the mechanical angular velocity of the turbine 308 is estimated bythe following formula (2) (Step S113). That is, “ωr” calculated by thefollowing formula (2) is determined as a mechanical velocity estimatedvalue of the turbine 308. In the formula (2), θbke (rad) denotes aprevious electric magnetic pole position estimated value, an initialvalue of which is “0”.

$\begin{matrix}{{\omega \; r} = \frac{\left( {{\theta \; e} - {\theta \; {bke}}} \right)}{{Ts}*P}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

(the number of pole pairs P=1)

After the CPU calculates the mechanical angular velocity estimated valueωr by the above manner, the CPU checks whether the mechanical angularvelocity estimated value ωr is equal to the idling mechanical angularvelocity ωar or not (Step S114). When the mechanical angular velocityestimated value ωr is not equal to the idling mechanical angularvelocity ωar (No in Step S114), the electric magnetic pole positionestimated value θe calculated in Step S112 is replaced with the previouselectric magnetic pole position estimated value θbke (Step S115), andthe process returns to Step S108, where the processing operations ofStep S108 to S115 are repeated.

While the processing operations of Step S108 to S115 are repeated, whenthe mechanical angular velocity estimated value ωr becomes equal to theidling mechanical angular velocity ωar (YES in Step S114), the CPUdetermines that the preparation to use the estimated value of themagnetic pole position of the turbine 308 is completed, cancelling theforced drive at the idling mechanical angular velocity ωar (Step S116),and shifting the process to the torque control for controlling the flowrate (FIG. 7: Step S117).

In the torque control for controlling the flow rate, the CPU inputs thepresent U-phase phase voltage value Vu, the present phase current valueIu and a present V-phase phase current value Iv of the stator winding ofthe power generating portion 306 (Step S118), inputs the torque settingvalue Tsp (Step S119) and inputs the present winging temperature TR ofthe stator winding of the power generating portion 306 (Step S120).

Then, the winding resistance R of the stator winding of the powergenerating portion 306 is temperature-corrected by the wingdingtemperature TR (Step S121) and the magnetic pole position of the turbine308 is estimated by the following formula (3) (Step S122).

$\begin{matrix}{{\theta \; e} = {\sin^{- 1}\left\{ {\frac{1}{{Ke}\; \omega \; r}\left( {{Vu} - {L\frac{{Iu}}{t}} - {RIu}} \right)} \right\}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

That is, the electric magnetic pole position estimated value θe (rad) ofthe turbine 308 is calculated by the above formula (3) in which “war” inthe formula (1) used in Step S112 is replaced with “ωr”.

The mechanical angular velocity of the turbine 308 is estimated by thefollowing formula (4) (Step S123). That is, the mechanical angularvelocity estimated value ωr of the turbine 308 is calculated by thefollowing formula (4) which is the same as the formula (2).

$\begin{matrix}{{\omega \; r} = \frac{\left( {{\theta \; e} - {\theta \; {bke}}} \right)}{{Ts}*P}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

(the number of pole pairs P=1)

Then, the CPU calculates the electric angular velocity estimated valuewe of the turbine 308 by defining that ωe=ωr/P from the calculatedmechanical angular velocity estimated value ωr (Step S124), controllingthe phase voltage to the stator winding of the power generating portion306 according to the vector control law so as to obtain the torquesetting value Tsp inputted in Step S119 by using “Iu”, “Iv” inputted inStep S118 and “θe”, “ωe” obtained in Steps S122, S124 (Step S125).

Then, the CPU replaces the electric magnetic pole position estimatedvalue θe calculated in Step S122 with the previous electric magneticpole position estimated value θbke (Step S126), waiting for a lapse ofthe sampling time Ts (Step S127) and repeating the processing operations(sensorless vector control) of Steps S118 to S126 every time thesampling time Ts passes (YES in Step S127). Accordingly, the torque ofthe power generating portion 306 is matched to the torque setting valueTsp, and the actual flow rate of cold/hot water flowing in the conduitline is adjusted to the flow setting value Qsp.

The processing operations of Steps S101 to S127 are performed bycooperation of the flow rate controlling portion 303, the powergenerating portion controlling portion 304, the inverter 305, themagnetic pole position estimating portion 318 and the magnetic poleposition selecting portion 319. The determination whether the positionsensor 307 is normal/abnormal (existence of reliability) in Step S104 istaken charge of by the magnetic pole position selecting portion 319, andthe estimation of the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 in StepsS109 to S112 or in Steps S118 to S122 is taken charge of by the magneticpole position estimating portion 318.

As described above, the flow rate of fluid flowing in the conduit lineis controlled not by the valve element but by the torque of the powergenerating portion 306, namely, the rotational torque of the turbine 308according to the example. Accordingly, high power necessary for drivingthe valve element is not required, and the power can be saved.

Also in the example, the power generated by the power generating portion306 is stored in the power storage portion 311, transmitted to the powersupply portion 309 as the stored power and used in respective portionsin the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3. Accordingly, part ofenergy which has been discarded as heat at the time of controlling theactual flow rate is collected as electrical energy, and reused in theturbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A.

In the case where the stored power stored in the power storage portion311 is abundant, the abundant power is regenerated as surplus power in acommercial power supply in the example, therefore, the surplus power inthe turbine-type flow rage controlling device 3A is also usedeffectively. For example, the surplus power is supplied to other devicessuch as the sensor or the controller, which can contribute to the energysaving in a comprehensive manner.

Also according to the example, both functions of flow rate control andpower generation can be realized by the “power generating device” whichis formed of the turbine 308 and the power generating portion 306, thatis, both functions of flow rate control and power generation can berealized by the “power generating device” which is formed of the turbine308 (rotor 6) and the stator 7 shown in FIG. 3, therefore, the sizereduction can be realized by removing the “valve device” and reducingthe number of component parts as disclosed in Patent Literature 3.Accordingly, the turbine-type flow rate controlling device can be formedwith the size of an existing flow rate control valve, and energy savingcan be realized by replacing the existing flow rate control valve withthe turbine-type flow rate controlling device.

The actual flow rate of cold/hot water flowing in the conduit line isestimated from the present angular velocity w of the turbine 308 and thepresent torque value T of the power generating portion 306, and thetorque of the power generating portion 306 is controlled so that theestimated actual flow rate corresponds to the flow rate setting valueQsp in the example, therefore, expensive sensors such as a pressuresensor, and a flow-rate sensor can be eliminated and the increase ofcosts can be suppressed.

Also in the example, the torque calculated by the flow rate controllingportion 303 and the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 are usedfor controlling the torque of the power generating portion 306. In thiscase, the magnetic pole position of the turbine selected by the magneticpole position selecting portion 319, namely, any one of the magneticpole position of the turbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307 andthe magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 estimated by the magneticpole position estimating portion 318 is used.

In the example, the magnetic pole position selecting portion 319determines existence of reliability in the magnetic pole position of theturbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307, selecting the magneticpole position (a measured value of the magnetic pole position) of theturbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307 when it is determinedthat the reliability exists, and selecting the magnetic pole position(an estimated value of the magnetic pole position) of the turbine 308estimated by the magnetic pole position estimating portion 318 when itis determined that the reliability does not exist.

Accordingly, when the reliability in the magnetic pole position of theturbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307 is lost, the magneticpole position of the turbine 308 estimated by the magnetic pole positionestimating portion 318 is used instead of the magnetic pole position ofthe turbine 308 detected by the position sensor 307. Even when theposition sensor 307 detecting the magnetic pole position of the turbine308 fails, or the detection accuracy is deteriorated, it is possible toproperly control the torque of the power generating portion 306continuously.

Another Turbine-Type Flow Rate Controlling Device: Example

Although the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A according tothe above Example is connected to the controller 4 by the cable,connection to the controller 4 may be performed by wireless. FIG. 10shows a configuration of a relevant part of a turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3 (3B) connected to the controller 4 by wireless asanother Example.

In FIG. 10, the same symbols as FIG. 2 denote components equal to orequivalent to the components explained with reference to FIG. 2 and theexplanation thereof is omitted. In the turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3B, a wireless data communication portion 312 isprovided instead of the data communication portion 301, in whichtransmission/reception of data with respect to the controller 4 isperformed through an antenna 313 by wireless.

In the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3B, the wireless datacommunication portion 312 and the system controlling portion 302configure the setting flow rate inputting portion 300.

A Further Turbine-Type Flow Rate Controlling Device: Example

Although the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A according tothe above Examples is connected to the external power supply 5 by thecable, connection to the external power supply 5 may be performed bywireless. FIG. 11 shows a configuration of a relevant part of aturbine-type flow rate controlling device 3 (3C) connected to theexternal power supply 5 by wireless as a further Example.

In FIG. 11, the same symbols as FIG. 2 denote components equal to orequivalent to the components explained with reference to FIG. 2 and theexplanation thereof is omitted. In the turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3C, a wireless transmitting/receiving portion 314 isprovided instead of the commercial power supply regenerating portion310, in which power from the external power supply 5 is received bywireless through an antenna 315 and transmitted to the power supplyportion 309 as well as surplus power from the power supply portion 309is regenerated in the commercial power supply (the external power supply5 in this example) by wireless through the antenna 315.

A Yet Further Turbine-Type Flow Rate Controlling Device: Example

Although the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3A according tothe above Examples is connected both to the controller 4 and to theexternal power supply 5 by cables, both connections to the controller 4and to the external power supply 5 may be performed by wireless. FIG. 12shows a configuration of a relevant part of a turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3 (3D) connected both to the controller 4 and to theexternal power supply 5 by wireless as a yet further Example.

In FIG. 12, the same symbols as FIG. 2 denote components equal to orequivalent to the components explained with reference to FIG. 2 and theexplanation thereof is omitted. In the turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device 3D, the wireless data communication portion 312 isprovided instead of the data communication portion 301, in whichtransmission/reception of data with respect to the controller 4 isperformed through an antenna 316 by wireless. Moreover, the wirelesstransmitting/receiving portion 314 is provided instead of the commercialpower supply regenerating portion 310, in which power from the externalpower supply 5 is received by wireless through the antenna 316 andtransmitted to the power supply portion 309 as well as surplus powerfrom the power supply portion 309 is regenerated in the commercial powersupply (the external power supply 5 in this example) by wireless throughthe antenna 316.

As the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3D is connected both tothe controller 4 and to the external power supply 5 by wireless, allwiring to the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3D iseliminated. Accordingly, contribution to reduction of environmentalloads can be expected by using wireless communication, namely,elimination of wiring materials, contribution to improvement ofworkability/maintainability, elimination of each man-hour of wiring,reduction of work man-hours under an inferior environment, reduction ofwork man-hours in an additional instrumentation in an existing buildingand so on can be expected.

The connection to the external power supply 5 by wireless is realizedbecause the turbine-type flow rate controlling device 3D is formed as ahybrid type in which the power from the external power supply 5 and thepower generated in the power generating portion 306 are used to therebyreduce the supply of power from the external power supply 5.

Although it can be considered that a battery is used in a related-artflow rate control valve (the valve using the valve element) to realize afully wireless system, it has been determined to be difficult to realizethe system as the flow rate control valve is not be able to be drivenfor a long period of time by the battery. That is, various problems suchas reduction of power consumption in a controlling circuit and acommunication circuit, reduction of communication frequency and increaseof power density of the battery have to be solved, therefore, it isdifficult to realize the fully wireless system in the related-art flowrate control valve.

In respond to the above, the hybrid type using the power from theoutside and the power generated inside is adopted in the example,thereby realizing the fully wireless system of the flow rate controlvalve which has been difficult in the past, which is deserved to becalled an epoch-making device. As the valve element is not used in theinvention, the device is called the turbine-type flow rate controllingdevice, not the flow rate control valve. Also in the invention, thesupply of power to the turbine-type flow rate controlling device fromthe outside may be eliminated to realize the fully wireless system aslong as the operation of the device itself can be covered by the powergenerated inside.

Although the above examples have been explained as examples in which theinvention is applied to the air conditioning controlling system, it goeswithout saying that the invention is not limited to be applied to theair conditioning controlling system but can be applied to various kindsof applications of flow rate control, and the application can be furtherexpanded to general industrial equipment. The fluid the flow rate ofwhich is controlled is not limited to liquid such as cold/hot water butmay be gaseous matter such as gases.

In the above examples, the selection between the measured value and theestimated value of the magnetic pole position of the turbine 308 is madeby determining whether the position sensor 307 is normal or abnormal(existence of reliability) in the magnetic pole position selectingportion 319. However, it is also possible to select the magnetic poleposition (an estimated value) of the turbine 308 estimated by themagnetic pole position estimating portion 318 to be used in the powergenerating portion controlling portion 304 instead of the magnetic poleposition (a measured value) of the turbine 308 detected by the positionsensor 307 in the case where the operation time of the power generatingportion 306 exceeds a given period of time, where the accumulated numberof rotations exceeds a given number of rotations and other occasions.Extension of the Examples]

The invention has been explained by referring to the examples as theabove, and the invention is not limited to the above examples. Variousalterations which can be understood by those who skilled in the art mayoccur in the configurations and the details of the invention within ascope of technical ideas of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A turbine-type flow rate controlling devicecomprising: a turbine converting energy of a fluid flowing in a flowpath into rotational movement energy; a power generator converting therotational movement energy converted by the turbine into electricalenergy; a setting flow rate input inputting a setting flow rate valuesof which vary due to load fluctuation of a supply destination of thefluid; a flow rate controller estimating an actual flow rate of thefluid flowing in the flow path from a present angular velocity of theturbine and a present torque of the power generator and calculating atorque of the power generator in which the estimated actual flow ratecorresponds to the setting flow rate; a position sensor detecting aposition of a magnetic pole of a magnet incorporated in the turbine as amagnetic pole position of the turbine; a magnetic pole positionestimator estimating the position of the magnetic pole of the magnetincorporated in the turbine as the magnetic pole position of theturbine; a magnetic pole position selector selecting any one of themagnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the position sensorand the magnetic pole position of the turbine estimated by the magneticpole position estimator; and a power generating controller controllingthe torque of the power generator based on the torque calculated by theflow rate controller and the magnetic pole position of the turbineselected by the magnetic pole position selector.
 2. The turbine-typeflow rate controlling device according to claim 1, wherein the magneticpole position estimator estimates the magnetic pole position of theturbine based on a present phase voltage value and a present phasecurrent value of the power generator and a present temperature ofwinding of the power generator.
 3. The turbine-type flow ratecontrolling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic poleposition selector determines existence of reliability in the magneticpole position of the turbine detected by the position sensor, selectingthe magnetic pole position of the turbine detected by the positionsensor when the reliability exists, and selecting the magnetic poleposition of the turbine estimated by the magnetic pole positionestimator when the reliability does not exist.
 4. The turbine-type flowrate controlling device according to claim 1, further comprising: aninverter inputting a phase voltage setting value from the powergenerating controller, outputting a phase voltage to the power generatorand outputting a present phase voltage value and a present phase currentvalue of the power generator respectively to the power generatingcontroller and the magnetic pole position estimator.